West Salem Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter

Ransom may spend 90 months in prison for shooting Pearce to death.

Nicholas Anthony Ransom plead guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of an Iraq Veteran. Photo: Polk County

(DALLAS, Ore.) - Today 35-year old Nicholas Anthony Ransom, of West Salem, pled guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm in the July 15, 2015 shooting death of Matthew Pearce, also of West Salem.

Pearce could potentially be sentenced to up to 90 months in prison by the court. Pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, charges of Murder, Manslaughter in the First Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon were dismissed.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for August 2, 2016 in Polk County Circuit Court. Because sentencing is still pending, no further information will be released at this time.

Source: Polk County